Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Super Bowl has controversial offensive pass interference call against the Eagles right off the bat

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Feb 9, 2025 9:29 PM ET

There was so much talk about the referees ahead of the Super Bowl , and social media went crazy with an alleged benefit for the Kansas City Chiefs. Well, the game couldn't have started in a more controversial way.

This was called OPI on AJ Brown. Oh boy. pic.twitter.com/TtLpfncAjU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 9, 2025

Right on the first Philadelphia Eagles' offensive drive, the team had a 4th and 2 close to midfield. Wide receiver AJ Brown made a big first-down catch, but it was negated because of an offensive pass interference call.

Fox's rules analyst Mike Pereira said there was a "push off to the hip," but he thought "it's not enough to be a foul."

After the penalty, the Eagles were forced to punt in their first possession.

Former Eagles center Jason Kelce immediately reacted after the play, letting clear his opinion that the penalty shouldn’t have been called.

pic.twitter.com/vvnlbXMUOx
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) February 9, 2025

Veteran official Ron Torbert is the referee for Chiefs-Eagles in the Super Bowl LIX. The top penalties Torbert's crew called in 2024 were offensive holding (49), false start (41), and defensive pass interference (20), which are also the most frequent calls in the entire league.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: